The Davao Occidental General Hospital (DOGH) has achieved a significant healthcare milestone with the official inauguration of its new Hemodialysis Center on Thursday, November 6, 2025. This vital facility now brings essential dialysis services directly to kidney disease patients in Malita and surrounding communities, eliminating the need for arduous travel.
A New Era for Kidney Care in Davao Occidental
Dr. Glinard L. Quezada, the chief of DOGH, celebrated this development as a transformative moment for local healthcare. He emphasized that for many years, patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) faced significant hardships, including long-distance travel and prohibitive treatment costs. This new center fundamentally changes that reality, making life-saving dialysis treatment genuinely accessible to the community.
The Department of Health (DOH) Davao Region confirmed the center's opening through its social media channels. The facility is equipped with 13 modern dialysis machines, a strategic installation designed to directly combat the shortage of medical services for CKD patients across the province and its neighboring areas.
Addressing a Critical Regional Health Need
The establishment of the hemodialysis center is a direct response to a pressing health issue. DOH 11 disclosed that the Davao region is ranked among the top areas in the Philippines with the highest number of dialysis patients. This new center is a crucial step in addressing this high demand and aligns perfectly with the DOH's broader goal of expanding access to modern medical technology for faster and more efficient healthcare delivery.
The inauguration and blessing ceremony was a notable event, graced by Governor Franklin P. Bautista. The governor had proudly pre-announced this achievement during his State of the Province Address (Sopa) back on October 28, 2025. He was joined by other local officials and the management of DOGH to mark this occasion.
Collaboration and Compassionate Leadership
Dr. Quezada expressed profound gratitude to the DOH, local government partners, and the hospital's dedicated staff for their unwavering support. He stated that their collective commitment is transforming healthcare barriers into bridges of hope, accessibility, and compassion for every patient they serve.
Special recognition was also given to nephrologist Dr. Jeanmar De Castro-Leynes, who will head the new Hemodialysis Center. Dr. Quezada thanked her for bringing her medical expertise and deep compassion to ensure that all patients receive the highest standard of care.
